Josh Hart’s nightly boxscore is like a box of chocolates: you never quite know what you’re going to get.
He molds his aggressiveness in that department to whatever the game needs.
At times, he becomes the main facilitator, orchestrating the Knicks offense, pushing them in transition and allowing Jalen Brunson to play off the ball.
Other times, he is their second-leading scorer and temporarily carrying the offense.
Often, it’s somewhere in between.
“I turn down shots, I don’t know how many times,” Hart said after the win over the Celtics in Boston on Sunday. “I love getting assists. I used to love scoring. Now, I love getting guys shots, getting guys involved. Sometimes, it’s the bad read because I should shoot it when I’m open, but I love getting guys shots.”
Sunday was a bit different than that.
He took 14 shots, making seven of them.
That was second most on the team, behind Brunson, and five more than Karl-Anthony Towns — who is supposed to be the clear second option on offense — despite playing three fewer minutes than him.
Knicks forward Josh Hart (3) defends the ball from Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. AP
Hart took six 3-pointers — also second most on the team.
He had three assists, two below his season average.
In the 13 games he’s played since returning from his sprained ankle, he’s taken as many as 17 shots — which he did in a win over the Blazers at the end of January — and as few as three, which he did in a rout of the Wizards last week.
Some of it is a result of how opponents defend him.
Most view him as the weakest 3-point shooter in the normal Knicks starting lineup of Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Hart, OG Anunoby and Towns.
That means other teams often match up their five on him, allowing them to sink into the paint and help on others, not respecting Hart’s ability to hurt them from deep.
Those are usually the times Hart is forced to be the most aggressive, given that he is left open.
“Games like [Sunday],” Hart said, “[are] where that sacrifice is me having to go out there and be super aggressive and keep them honest.”
Josh Hart of the Knicks has a laugh with Jalen Brunson during the second half of their win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 8, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. Getty Images
Hart is shooting a career-best 40.4 percent from 3-point range this year, exploiting strategic decisions by the opposition.
“I don’t ever call a play for Josh, and he finds his way,” coach Mike Brown said. “Teams keep putting their five on him, and we tell him to let it fly. He’s really good because he knows when to let it fly. Not only that, if the ball gets pushed ahead to him, fives are used to sitting in the paint or shrinking; now, when the ball gets pushed ahead, that five closes out to Josh, he’s quick on a snap drive. He finishes on the front side, the back side, he can still spray it and he’s got his little [midrange].
Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 8, 2026 at TD Garden. NBAE via Getty Images
“He makes a big difference offensively. It’s him because he knows how and when to pick his spots with it. Also when he was out and he came back, that first game in Portland, you felt his presence in transition. Whether he was bringing it or just filling that wing, you felt his presence and it’s much needed especially against the better teams.”
Hart hasn’t always enjoyed his chameleon-like identity.
It was something he had to grow to embrace.
“I think I acquired it in Portland,” Hart said. “Mark Tyndale, who’s here right now, I think one day I was venting to him. I was saying ‘bro I’m not getting the ball. I’m not getting any touches.’ He’s like ‘we’ve got [Damian Lillard], we’ve got all these guys. We’re not saying you can’t score. We’re saying we’ve got guys that are better and that’s what they’re here to do.’ And from then on, I said ‘let me work out how I can help these guys and find them in good positions.’”
“It took a little bit of getting used to, but I think right now I’m in a good head space with it.”
The Knicks are about to start a home-road back-to-back against the Pacers and 76ers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Don’t be surprised if Hart’s approach is completely different between the two games.
Anunoby, who has missed the last two games with a sore toe, is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Pacers.
Mitchell Robinson is out, with it being the first leg of a back-to-back.
MIAMI (AP) — Brice Sensabaugh made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 47 seconds remaining to lift the Utah Jazz to a 115-111 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday night.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 22 points, Lauri Markkanen added 17, Kyle Filipowski had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Ace Bailey also scored 16 for the Jazz, who won for only the fifth time in their last 23 games.
The Jazz erased a 108-103 deficit with 3:32 left and got within one at 111-110 on Isaiah Collier’s jumper with 1:23 remaining. Sensabaugh, who finished with 14 points, then connected with his shot from behind the arc.
Miami twice had opportunities at a tying or go-ahead score. Andrew Wiggins missed a short jumper with 36 seconds left and Kasparas Jakucionis’ corner 3-point attempt bounced off the rim with 4 seconds left.
Sensabaugh’s two free throws with 3 seconds remaining clinched the win for Utah.
Wiggins scored 26 points, Bam Adebayo had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Jakucionis finished with 20 points for the Heat.
Utah led 85-82 after three quarters but for the second consecutive game, coach Will Hardy sat Markkanen and Jackson in the fourth period. Jackson was acquired from Memphis in a trade Feb. 3. Jusuf Nurkic also sat out the fourth and finished with 10 points and 16 rebounds.
The Jazz outscored the Heat in the paint 54-30.
Miami’s Norman Powell (back tightness) and Pelle Larsson (right forearm strain) didn’t play, while Tyler Herro (ribs) has been sidelined since Jan. 17. Keyonte George (right ankle sprain) sat out for Utah.
Down 15 midway through the first quarter, the Jazz finished the first half on a 14-2 run. Collier’s 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Utah a 61-52 lead at the break.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Trey Murphy III made five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Jeremiah Fears scored 14 of his 20 in the second half and the New Orleans Pelicans sent the Sacramento Kings to their 13th straight loss Monday night, 120-94.
The Kings have their most consecutive losses since the franchise moved from Kansas City to Sacramento ahead of the 1985-86 season.
Murphy has made 23 3-pointers on 40 attempts (72.5%) in the last three games. Zion Williamson scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and had six assists for New Orleans.
Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and career-high 20 rebounds — the 7-foot-1 rookie’s eighth double-double this season — for Sacramento. Russell Westbrook added 17 points, Devin Carter scored 12 and Nique Clifford 10.
Westbrook became the 14th player in league history to score at least 27,000 career points. The 18-year NBA veteran has 27,001 career points, 312 behind Elvin Hayes for 13th place on the league's career points list.
DeMar DeRozan made a driving layup with 4:08 left in the first quarter that gave the Kings a 20-15 lead, but Bryce McGowen and Murphy made back-to-back 3-pointers to give New Orleans the lead for good and spark a 25-6 run. Williamson scored eight points in the spurt.
Westbrook made a step-back jumper that trimmed the deficit to nine points with 7:36 left in the first half, but Sacramento got no closer.
Zach LaVine (finger), Keegan Murray (ankle), Malik Monk (illness) and Domantas Sabonis (lower back) did not play for Sacramento. The quartet combines to average 62 points this season.
The Pelicans snapped a string of 14 consecutive games in which they have not won or lost by more than 10 points.
Alex Killorn goes by many names. Alex, of course. Killer, Foghorn, War Dog. Alexander is most likely reserved for his parents.
Killorn has earned the right to go by so many names, with over 120 NCAA games, over 50 AHL games and now over 1,000 NHL games under his belt.
He joined the Ducks in the summer of 2023 after spending the first 11 seasons of his NHL career with the Tampa Bay Lightning. While his four-year, $25 million contract at age 34 initially raised eyebrows, he’s proven that his value goes beyond his on-ice impact.
Feb 29, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) and left wing Alex Killorn (17) celebrate after scoring a goal during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
When Leo Carlsson was drafted second overall in 2023 and began navigating life as an NHLer at 18, it was Killorn who was placed on Carlsson’s wing by then-head coach Greg Cronin. Despite his lack of foot speed, Killorn’s knack for winning board battles and recovering pucks made him the ideal linemate for a creative playmaker in Carlsson.
“I just turned 34 and I'm skating with him, and he's 18,” Killorn said at the time. “I kind of have to check myself just to realize how young (he is) and put myself in his position at times, but really impressed with him in the way he plays. Being a center at 18 playing in the NHL is very difficult, and I think he's more than capable of doing so.”
When Cutter Gauthier made his NHL debut at the end of the 2023-24 season, he played on a line with Carlsson and, you guessed it, Killorn.
The trio began the 2024-25 season as a line before Gauthier began experiencing a rollercoaster of line assignments, but Killorn remained a constant on Carlsson’s line. Gauthier’s improvement in his wall play can be attributed in part to Killorn, who at times would give Gauthier tips during or after practice on how to be stronger around the boards.
“(The wall work) has been coming good,” Gauthier said at the time. “Not playing winger for the last couple years, it’s still an adjustment period. Yeah, it’s only 11 games into the season, but still. You’re playing against the best players in the world and the best defensemen in the world. They know tendencies—they’ve played in the league for the very long time—that wingers are going to do, so it’s just getting used to the type of rim (around the boards), whether it’s hard, soft or where the pressure’s coming from. Killer’s helped a lot with a couple of pickup tips coming off the wall.”
Apr 18, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) takes a rookie lap before the start of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
As someone who played center while at Harvard before shifting to the wing once he turned pro, Killorn is familiar with the transition that Gauthier had to make.
“I just want him to work on protecting the puck,” Killorn said. “College is a lot different from the NHL in terms of defensemen, how hard they play. If he can hold onto it for even a couple more seconds and just maintain possession, it’s going to help out our line big time.”
“I (liked) playing with Killer because he’s very smart,” former Ducks forward Trevor Zegras said. “He's very good at playing in between guys and knows when to give you the puck, give you space, where to go, where to help and support.”
Gauthier, Zegras and Killorn as a line during the 2024-25 season totaled one goal and one goal against in 48 5v5 minutes. Their expected goals numbers were quite favorable, but Cronin split them up after just five games.
Killorn is always quick to note the strengths of his teammates, whether it was pointing out how much Zegras’ absence due to injury last season impacted the power play, describing how patient rookie defenseman Ian Moore is with the puck or pointing out the big step Jackson LaCombe took—before his monster 2024-25 season occurred.
Oct 11, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (center) celebrates with left wing Alex Killorn (17) and center Leo Carlsson (91) and defenseman Jackson LaCombe (right) after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Above all, Killorn wants himself and his teammates to be proud of the way they play every night, regardless of the result.
“I think if you compete and play the right way, you may not win every night, but you'll build and you'll start playing the right way in things, no matter how long it takes. You’re building in the right direction.”
“Being that I've been on a lot of winning teams in the past, I'm definitely hoping to bring veteran leadership to this group,” Killorn said during his introductory conference call in 2023. “I know it's probably a younger team than I've been on before, but I look forward to that. There’s so much talent when you look at the guys that are on this team and guys that are about to be on this team, whether it's this year or the next year. These are things that I thought about when I made this decision. So I'm hoping to bring kind of a veteran leadership, a guy who can help out offensively and defensively. That’s kind of what I did with Tampa, so I'm hoping to do the same here.”
While Killorn has been able to impart the wisdom gained from his 14 years of NHL experience to his teammates who are still early in their careers, that knowledge isn’t just limited to them. His peers closer in age have also learned from him.
“We’ve become really close off the ice,” Ryan Strome said. “One of my better friends. One of the better guys I met in hockey. We get along really well and mesh really well, our personalities. I know how hard it gets when you get a little older and you go through a different, separate phase. He’s done a great job of just staying consistent with his effort and his determination and what he brings to the table. He's really consistent on a day-to-day basis, whether it's practices or games, and that's something that everyone's going through. There’s always lessons you can learn. Even I can learn from a guy like him, just how he's been consistent and just puts his head down and works. He’s always been that type of guy and it's great to see.”
Feb 17, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome (16) scores a goal and celebrates with left wing Alex Killorn (17) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
One area that’s become new for Killorn this past calendar year is becoming a father. His daughter, Camilla, was born in May 2025, which gave him several months to play full-time dad before getting geared up for the 2025-26 season.
“It was great,” Killorn said. “A lot of guys have kids (during) the season. I couldn't imagine that. It's very difficult being on the road. I got to spend four solid months with her every day, so that was really special.”
“When you become close to somebody, you just talk a lot,” Strome said. “We sit beside each other on the plane and (are) always just (talking about) whatever it may be, whether it's life, hockey, kids, post-career stuff. It’s been so great to get to know him (with) the way that we seem to bond and have similar interests and stuff. It’s been really fun for me. Playing against a guy for so long and getting to know him and becoming this close to him has been amazing. He deserves it, and he's had a hell of a career and it's been a pleasure to be a part of it.
On Feb. 3, the Ducks honored Killorn with a pregame ceremony, gifting him a pair of silver sticks: a player-sized one for him and a baby-sized one for Camilla. Killorn’s parents were also in attendance alongside Killorn’s wife, Tiffany.
Tiffany also threw a party to commemorate Killorn’s 1000 NHL games the weekend prior, with many family and friends attending, including all of Killorn’s Ducks teammates.
“It was really cool, Killorn said. “Just special. I had a lot of friends and family (at the game) and this morning, just waking up puts everything in perspective. Your whole career, how many people have supported me throughout the way. Seeing my family pretty emotional on the ice and seeing my daughter, it was a really special moment for me.”
Something that sticks out to Killorn after all of these years is just the fact that he’s still playing. He noted how he wasn’t a top draft pick and had a head coach in Jon Cooper who believed in him and gave him plenty of ice time to become successful.
“He's a great guy,” Ducks captain Radko Gudas said shortly after becoming a Duck in 2023. “He's a great person (with a) great personality. He's a leader with the way he plays and the way he carries himself. I won the Calder Cup with him before we made it to the NHL, so I had great memories with him before and I always knew he was a great player. I just want to see him doing this well and now we’ve got to work together as a team again and build something here for the guys here. We’re looking forward to that and I'm really thrilled for the opportunity for both of us to help these guys grow.”
Nov 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) and left wing Alex Killorn (17) celebrate after a goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Since joining the Ducks, Killorn has learned that you have to keep getting better. Sure, that may be a bit obvious, but it’s a reminder not to remain complacent, even after winning two Stanley Cups, as Killorn did.
“I watched a video back when we were in the Cup Final in 2015 and the game’s changed so much in those 10 years,” Killorn said. “You just have to continue to keep getting better because if you don't and you don't reinvent yourself, you'll be out of the league.”
With one year remaining on his contract after this season, it’s unclear how much longer Killorn intends to play. Strome said that Killorn has a good grasp of his post-playing career plans.
“I think he's got a really good grasp on his future and business and his finances and like all those types of things. I think he's really well-rounded. Some guys, you may think when they're done playing, they might kind of struggle a little bit (with) their identity (outside of being a hockey player) or what they're going to do. But I think a guy like him, he's just so dialed in and he's smart and he's educated and calculated. He’s a lot of fun. When you have that total package, you'll be more than just fine in your life and your career and whatever's next.
“And for me, it's cool because it's made me kind of think about those things a little bit more than I have. I think he's a great guy to learn from. And the other thing is, too, I think he's been really good on our team for being able to hang out with all the guys, whether it's old guys, young guys. I know he hangs out with the young guys a lot. I think when you have guys who are able to kind of bounce between those different age groups and stuff, it means a lot to the dressing room. I know I'm kind of one of those guys, but I think he's taken a lot of load off me for doing some of that stuff and it's been great to have him around.”
Jan 26, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal scored by forward Alex Killorn (17) during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
It was a big challenge for Killorn to come to Anaheim in 2023, leaving the only organization he’d ever known—an extremely successful one—to come to an organization that was still taking its lumps. But thanks to the leadership of players like Killorn, the tide is beginning to turn as they find themselves in a playoff spot in February, a sight that has rarely been seen in the past decade.
“It’s been a challenge, one that I've accepted to come to a team that's got a lot of young talent and help develop some of these guys,” Killorn said in 2024. “Gonna be something special here in the future, so I look forward to it. It's been a different process than before, just because I was on a team that was maybe a little bit more veteran and was winning a little bit. But now, at least you can see the light here and you understand what they're trying to build. It’s pretty impressive.”
“It was a huge adjustment (coming in Anaheim), just in the sense that I came to a different place, all new teammates. I was kind of used to one thing. I knew going into training camp what the coaching staff was going to be, what my teammates were going to be, how I was going to fit in. So in terms of that, there was a lot of unknown. But I feel like by the end of the year, I really found a place for myself in this team and was really happy with the way that the end of the season went.”
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 19: Julian Aguiar #39 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on September 19, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s perfectly OK if the most recent thing you remember about Julian Aguiar’s career advancement as a professional baseball pitcher was getting shelled for 7 ER by the Atlanta Braves in late September of 2024. That is, after all, the last time he threw a pitch in an actual professional game, after all.
Then 23, Aguiar was making the last of his seven big league appearances that season, but UCL damage required Tommy John surgery shortly thereafter and his subsequent recovery meant he missed the entirety of pro ball during calendar year 2025.
However…
He’s still just 24 years old right now. He’s a guy who turned a corner at the minor league level with AA Chattanooga, in particular, in 2024 before his call-up. He’s a guy who has touched 100 mph with his heater before who, at times, commands a pretty effective four-pitch mix with his dual breaking balls and an effective change. And as no reports have indicated any significant setbacks from his TJ surgery, he’s slated to begin 2026 at 100% after a long time away and ready to step right back into the top-tier of the pitching ranks for the Reds as soon as possible.
Odds are that’s with AAA Louisville, stretching out gradually. He’ll be a starter there as he works his way back, though it’s probably pretty clear to the Reds what he could potentially add as a reliever or swingman sooner, if need be.
All of that was good enough for Aguiar to land at #17 on this year’s Community Prospect Rankings, a pretty solid endorsement for a guy who we’ve not seen pitch in a year and a half.
Fists were flying after a hard foul in the game between the Pistons and the Hornets, which sent the contest into chaos and led to several ejections.
The brawl came in what ended up being a 110-104 loss for the Hornets on Monday.
The situation unfolded in the third quarter at Spectrum Center in Charlotte when Hornets forward Moussa Diabaté fouled Pistons center Jalen Duren while he was going for a shot inside the paint.
The foul was called, but the two got into each other’s faces almost immediately, and after Duren pushed Diabaté in his face, all hell broke loose.
Diabaté attempted to retaliate by swinging at Duren as players, coaches and officials tried to get control of the situation.
Diabaté was able to break free after he was briefly held back and attempted to chase down Duren a second time, but he was restrained again near the courtside seats.
As the focus was on Diabaté and calming him down, Miles Bridges went after Duren and ignited the situation even further, which led to Isaiah Stewart — who was not dressed for the game — to run off the Detroit bench to take on Bridges.
Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, second from left, is held back as he goes and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) fight during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday. AP
Coaches, players and officials had to then work to separate those two.
Diabaté, Bridges, Duren and Stewart were all ejected from the game, and the NBA will likely take a look at what happened for supplementary discipline.
Pistons center Jalen Duren, left, throws punches with Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, right, during a fight on the court in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C.. AP
At the time of the melee, the Pistons had been holding a 70-62 lead over the Hornets as Charlotte was looking to win its 10th straight game.
Things continued to be testy during the game as Hornets coach Charles Lee was kicked out in the fourth quarter.
Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets fight Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons. Getty Images
Lee had to be held back while screaming at officials for an offensive foul that was called on Grant Williams.
He left the court to loud applause from the home fans.
NEW YORK (AP) — Nic Claxton scored 28 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 123-115 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
Noah Clowney added 20 points for Brooklyn, which won its second in a row. Drake Powell had 14 points off the bench, rookies Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore each had 13 and Ziaire Williams added 11.
The Nets won three of the four meetings between the Eastern Conference teams that are rebuilding.
Anfernee Simons scored 23 points for Chicago, which lost its fifth straight. Collin Sexton scored 19 off the bench and Matas Buzelis had 18.
The Nets began the third quarter with a 14-5 spurt over the first three minutes to extend their advantage to 15 at 74-59. But Chicago responded with a 30-15 run over the final nine minutes of the quarter to tie it at 89 entering the fourth.
Two free throws by Isaac Okoro two minutes into the fourth gave the Bulls their first lead since early in the second at 93-91. The Nets then had a 12-6 spurt over the next three minutes to regain the advantage, 103-99.
The teams traded scores the rest of the way, with the most significant being Wolf’s layup with 3:33 remaining and two free throws by Claxton on the next possession that extended Brooklyn’s lead to 115-107.
Both teams were short-handed. The Nets didn’t have leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (right knee tendinitis) and rookie guard Egor Demin (rest), while Chicago missed Zach Collins (sprained right toe), Josh Giddey (strained left hamstring), Tre Jones (strained left hamstring), and Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery).
Suspensions are coming after a massive fight broke out Monday night between the Pistons and Hornets.
It had been a physical game, especially in the paint, and that came to a head midway through the third quarter. Detroit was inbounding the ball, when Detroit's Jalen Duren and Charlotte's Moussa Diabate had some words. When the ball was inbounded, it ended up with Duren, who turned to score and was fouled by Diabate. Then those two got face-to-face and had words again, which is when Duren pushed Diabate away in the face, Diabate got angry and went at Duren taking swings while Tobias Harris held him back, and boy, that escalated quickly, as lot of people joined in the fight.
Charlotte's Diabate and Miles Bridges were ejected, as were Detroit's Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
Expect multiple suspensions and fines from the league office. Stewart is going to get the worst of it, he left the bench to jump into the fray — a cardinal sin in the league's eyes — plus he has a history of being in the middle of dust-ups.
This fight did not ease all the tensions around this game. In the fourth quarter, Charlotte coach Charles Lee was ejected and had to be held back by his assistants while yelling at officials over a no-call after Hornets forward Grant Williams.
In the end, Detroit snapped Charlotte's nine-game winning streak 110-104, behind 33 points from Cade Cunningham.
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on February 9, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz, despite their best efforts, beat the Miami Heat with a final score of 115-111.
Utah’s tanking tactic of pulling Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jusuf Nurkic after the third quarter in favor of the youth could not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Through the first three quarters, the Jazz were led by Jackson Jr.‘s 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Markkanen chipped in 17 points while Jusuf Nurkic added 10 points and 16 rebounds.
This game hurts the Jazz in the tank race, but it proves that Utah’s approach to losing games this season is no less ethical than its tanking counterparts. Unlike the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, the Jazz played their stars in back-t0-back games for the majority of the game, rather than sitting them with phantom injuries. This allows fans to watch Utah’s best players while still allowing the team to (in most cases) achieve its long-term goals.
Feb 9, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Tonight, however, the youth stepped up in the fourth quarter to push the Jazz past Miami’s most competitive lineup. Isaiah Collier controlled the pace of the game late, finishing with 13 points and nine assists. Brice Sensabaugh, who has struggled over the past few outings, hit a big three and game-sealing free throws late. And Kyle Filipowski contributed a double-double, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Utah still holds the 6th best lottery odds after tonight. Wins from the Pelicans and the Nets mitigate any negative impacts from tonight’s win. If the lottery was today, the Jazz would own a ~96% chance of retaining their pick.
The Jazz return home on Thursday to face off against the Portland Trailblazers.
Feb 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
No Dyson or Jalen. CJ McCollum scored some points. The Hawks once again played no defense.
Traore’s precocious play at the point led Brooklyn to a 123-115 victory over visiting Chicago before a crowd of 17,038 at Barclays Center on Monday night.
The win came without Egor Dëmin and Michael Porter Jr., the Nets coming in just 1-9 without the latter.
But Nic Claxton picked up the slack with a career-high 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Meanwhile, Traore ran a surprisingly potent attack that shot 51.1 percent overall and 48 percent from deep.
The French teen had 13 points and 13 assists, tied for the most by a rookie this season in the NBA, and fourth most by a rookie in team history.
“It’s good because at the same time we’re learning to play with each other and we’re playing better. So it’s good,” said Traore, making his seventh straight start and improving rapidly.
Nolan Traore attempts a shot during the Nets’ Feb. 9 win over the Bulls. NBAE via Getty Images
“[Jordi Fernández] trusts me a lot with the ball, and that’s important for me. Sometimes I can call the plays, sometimes he does, and we build that relationship and it will be even better.”
Brooklyn (15-37) sits fifth in the lottery standings.
They’re a game behind Washington, and one ahead of Utah.
“We executed. The ball was popping,” said Claxton. “We were missing Mike, but everybody stepped up and we were able to create some good looks and I knocked down some shots.
Nolan Traore drives to the basket during the Nets’ Feb. 9 win over the Bulls. NBAE via Getty Images
“(Traore’s) figuring out how to use his speed and knowing when to go and when to slow down.
He’s extremely fast and can touch the paint almost every play, but he’s figuring it out.
He’s gaining confidence and we’re going to need it going forward.”
Traore is the first Nets rookie with a points-assists double-double since Terrence Williams on April 3, 2010.
Noah Clowney added 22 points and was 4-of-6 from deep.
Nic Claxton dunks the ball during the Nets’ Feb. 9 win over the Bulls. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
“Nolan was making the right play to start, whether that was getting downhill, spraying it, scoring, hitting the pocket,” said Clowney. “He was giving us an advantage and letting us play off that. When you play like that, it’s really easy.”
Brooklyn led by as many as 15 in the third quarter, with rookie Danny Wolf (13 points, six rebounds, three blocks, two steals) giving them a 74-59 lead that looked safe.
Drake Powell — who put Patrick Williams on a poster in the first quarter — hit a 3 to put the Nets ahead 87-73 with 4:27 left in the third.
But they let the Bulls — playing sans Josh Giddey and Tre Jones — close on a 16-2 run to knot it at 89-all entering the fourth.
All but a half-minute of that run came with Traore on the bench, and Ben Saraf running point.
When Fernández went back to Traore in the final period, the French teen settled the game down.
With the game knotted at 99-all with just over eight minutes left, the Nets mounted a 10-3 run to untie it.
Wolf found Terance Mann for a 3-pointer that gave Brooklyn a 109-102 edge with 5:19 to play.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 9: Matthew Boyd #16 of the Chicago Cubs reacts in Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s Monday night here at BCB After Dark: the hippest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad that you stopped by. Come on in. There’s no cover charge. We can check your coat for you. Hang on to that ticket. The hostess will take you to your table now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last week, I asked you if the Cubs were better off with Kyle Tucker or Alex Bregman in 2026? Of course, the correct answer would be “both,” but I didn’t give that as an option, nor was it realistic. Most of you seem to think that Bregman was the better piece for this year, with the current Cub getting 79 percent of the vote over the former Cub.
Here’s the part where we listen to jazz and talk movies. The BCB Winter Science Fiction Classic is almost over, but we still have a few contests to go and you’re always welcome to join in. But you’re also free to skip this and join us again on the other side.
Tonight we’re featuring saxophonist Michael Brecker playing one of my favorite jazz standards, “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise,” written by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II. I will say this version is not soft at all. In fact, it’s the hardest-bopping version of this song I’ve ever heard.
Besides Brecker on the tenor sax, this is an all-star group that includes Ulf Wakenius on guitar, Christian McBride on bass, Benny Green on piano and Alvin Queen on drums.
This is from 2003.
You voted in the BCB Winter Science Fiction Classic and the Star Trek fans are still out in force as Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan advanced to the final four over Alien.
Tonight we’re going to find out which film will face off against TWOK in the semifinals. Will it be the crowd-pleasing comedy Back to the Future? Or will Terminator II “be back” in the in the winner’s brakcet?
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). Directed by James Cameron. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Robert Patrick.
Here’s the scene where Marty McFly (Fox) prepares to return to 1985.
The one thing these two films have in common is that they were both enormously popular in their time. Both films were the number-one box office movie in the year they were released. From your votes, I don’t think I’m going out on a limb to say they are still enormously popular today.
So now it’s time to vote.
You have until Wednesday to vote. Coming up on Wednesday, we have our first semifinal against Godzilla (Gojira) and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Welcome back to everyone who skipped the music and movies.
We’ve spoken a lot about adding another starting pitcher like Zac Gallen to the roster, not so much because the Cubs need one but because you can never have too many starting pitchers. You see, they get hurt a lot. You may remember what happened to Justin Steele last year. Shōta Imanaga missed a lot of time with an injury as well.
But even if the Cubs projected starting five of Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Cade Horton, Imanaga and Jameson Taillon all stay healthy, at least until Justin Steele returns, there is a criticism that all five of those pitchers are mid-rotation starters at most. That there isn’t any one top-of-the-rotation guy that manager Craig Counsell can call on in a must-win game.
The Cubs still have the yeoman Colin Rea ready to step in when a starter gets hurt. Javier Assad and Ben Brown can start as well. Justin Steele will be coming back sometime mid-season. So it’s not like there aren’t options in the case of injury. But none of those guys is likely to be “the guy” in a key pennant race or playoff game.
So tonight I’m going to ask you who you would want to pitch a Game 7 of a playoff series. If the Cubs need a win to clinch the division, which Cubs starter would you want on the mound?
I don’t think I need to say much about the five Cubs starters. If you go by any version of WAR, Matthew Boyd was the Cubs’ best pitcher last year. Cade Horton didn’t reach the majors until May, but was good enough to finish second in Rookie of the Year balloting. However, a lot of Horton’s underlying data indicate that while he’s good, Horton was maybe not quite as good as his 2.67 ERA would indicate.
Imanaga was excellent in 2024 and injured and unreliable in 2025. Are you confident he’ll bounce back? Taillon was solid last year and may have been the most-trusted starter (or second after Boyd) by the time of the playoffs, but like Horton, his underlying numbers weren’t much more than OK.
Then there’s the wild card of Edward Cabrera. He had a kind of breakout season last year with the Marlins and many think his raw stuff indicates that there’s more to come. But he’s also had trouble staying healthy throughout his career.
So which starter do you think will have the best season for Cubs this year?
Thank you for stopping by tonight. We’re always glad to see you. Please get home safely. Stay warm and dry. Tell your friends about us. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.
Stephen Curry was voted an All-Star starter by the fans, but will sit out the game due to a case of "runner's knee," Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced Monday.
Curry will miss his fourth straight game Monday due to right patellofemoral pain syndrome — commonly called "runner's knee" — but Kerr said he will be out longer than that, as reported by Dalton Johnson at NBC Sports Bay Area. He also will miss Wednesday night's game against the Spurs, but with the games he missed and the All-Star break, Curry will have almost three weeks to rest his knee and get it right.
"He's doing well," Kerr said. "That's the hope. It's really kind of a day-to-day thing, so it's hard to predict for sure whether he'll be playing that first game after the break, but that's definitely the hope. The idea is if he can get through everything this week that puts him on pace to be playing then."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select a replacement for Curry on the USA Stripes team for this year's All-Star Game in the USA vs. World format (more on that below). This is Curry's 12th time as an All-Star.
Curry, 37, is averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 39.1% from 3-point range. The Warriors will have to continue trying to generate offense without Curry or Jimmy Butler (out for the season with a torn ACL).
All-Star Game format
This year, the NBA All-Star Game returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock — and it falls right in the middle of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. That was a perfect setup for the first-of-its-kind All-Star Game format, a USA vs. World showdown that fans and players have been asking for.
The 24 All-Star players have been divided into three teams, two USA teams — USA Stripes and USA Stars — and one World Team. Those three teams will compete in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games, each team playing at least two games. At the end of the round-robin, the two top teams will play a championship game (the fourth 12-minute game of the day) for the title. (If there is a tie it comes down to point differential.)
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, an earlier time than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Every moment of All-Star Weekend — the Rising Stars challenge on Friday. (Feb. 13), All-Star Saturday Night with the 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest (Feb. 14), as well as the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15 — will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, a time earlier than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you're in the mood for.
Peterson is listed as out for the No. 9 Jayhawks with flu-like symptoms, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. That makes the task harder for Kansas against No. 1 Arizona (23-0, 10-0).
The freshman guard has appeared in 13 games this season, averaging 20.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 48.9% shooting. This marks the 11th game of the season that the projected top pick in the 2026 NBA will miss this season. Peterson has also battled a hamstring strain and cramps earlier in the season.
Junior guard Jamari McDowell started in Peterson’s place, while senior guard Melvin Council Jr. and sophomore forward Flory Bidunga have stepped up in the games Peterson has missed this season.
Kansas and Arizona had a 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT) tipoff. The Jayhawks' lone loss at home this season came against No. 5 UConn.
Four players were ejected following a fight during the third quarter of a game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets on Monday, Feb. 9.
Suspensions could follow.
The brawl began bubbling when the Hornets’ Moussa Diabate delivered a hard foul on Pistons center Jalen Duren with more than seven minutes remaining in the quarter. The players exchanged words.
Duren shoved Diabate in the face, and Charlotte forward Miles Bridges shoved Duren. Diabate threw a punch at Duren and had to be held back by coaches and teammates, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Moments later, Bridges punched toward Duren. Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart, who was not in the game, rushed the floor and put Bridges in a headlock. Players from both teams swarmed in to separate them.
"Miles got some blows in," one announcer said on the broadcast of the game.
Will Pistons and Hornets players be suspended for brawl?
Once the NBA assesses its discipline from this fight, expect several suspensions and fines to be levied, particularly for those like Isaiah Stewart, who came off the bench.
According to the NBA rulebook, during fights or altercations, players who aren’t subbed in must remain on the sidelines, “in the immediate vicinity of their bench.” The league also stipulates that violators will be subject to an automatic one-game suspension without pay, with an additional fine of $50,000.
Because Stewart also threw punches and made contact with Hornets players, his suspension may be for multiple games.
